I’m Just a Counselor – Chapter 118

Author: Dakku-san

Shane’s eyes widened at my comment, and he sarcastically said,

“Wow, you’re getting the next letter, too? Look at my good girl, Vanessa.”

He looked at Julian’s letters, who had filled four full sheets of stationery. He read the last one with his eyes and grumbled,

“If it were me, I’d put these letters in the fireplace at once.”

“But he thought of me and worked hard to write it.”

“Hardly. Vanessa, you think too much of everything.”

I giggled, then told him,

“Oh, right. I forgot to thank you. You did a great job getting my stuff from home for me.”

“What? Never mind. Between friends.”

Shane smirked and held up his hand. While he placed his hand on my forehead to check my fever, I scanned the covers of the books he’d brought—among them, a collection of fairy tales.

I frowned again and muttered,

“I didn’t get Estella an aurora rose.”

“Don’t you ever try to pluck that flower again. Make me do it.”

“It’s only meaningful if I pluck it myself.”

“If you faint again, I’ll faint too.”

“That’s what the Duke said, too…”

Shane ruffled my hair as he leered at me with his hands on my waist. I groaned playfully.

“Not to mention, Estella told me the best gift I could give her was myself… I was touched.”

“You’re that impressed? I’ll do it first.”

Muttering something similarly playful, Shane handed me a pill and some water, saying it was time to take my medication and rest.

I meekly took the pills, and it wasn’t long before sleep began to overtake me. I covered my mouth and yawned.

“I want to see how pretty Estella is going to be today… Have you seen her, Shane?”

“Yeah. She was pretty.”

“I hope she can do everything she wants to, now that she’s a big girl.”

“She can, because Jeremiah’s got her, and you’ve got hers, and she’s got… friends.”

“I’m sure the… Duke is… looking great today…”

“In your eyes, Jeremiah is always gorgeous.”

Shane’s reply was cut off. I smirked and lay back down, pulling the covers over me.

Shane didn’t say another word, as if he was trying to help me drift off to sleep, and soon I was deep in slumber.

* * *

After a full week in bed, the Duke’s physician finally let me go. This long stay was, of course, due to Estella and Jeremiah’s intercession.

“The doctor must have been bothered, too.”

I smiled a little, remembering the look on the doctor’s face as he shook his head in exasperation at the two of them.

Jeremiah would come to me at night and whisper,

“Don’t get sick again, Vanessa.”

Those words twinkled like stars in my night, and I fell asleep to their whispered lullaby.

It was a peaceful, warm day, and when I had completely shaken off my cold, I received one more invitation:

[Estella’s Birthday Party!]

“But her birthday is already over.”

I stared at the invitation in disbelief and shook my head.

If my Estella wants to have two birthday parties, of course I’m going to let her! Wasn’t that what she said last time?

“Is it because you’re thinking of me…?”

Maybe she was thinking of me and how I’d sulked about missing the banquet—a bit self-conscious, but I’d take it.

I stared at the invitation with tears in my eyes. The party was tomorrow afternoon.

“I got an invitation too.”

Jeremiah said, taking the invitation from Estella, who seemed busy preparing for the party.

“I think she wants to have a birthday party again, but with only close people.”

“Close people…?”

“You and me. I don’t know who else is invited.”

I had no idea who the “close people” were. Everyone in the Duke’s castle loved Estella, so of course they were all close to her. But I doubted she’d invited them all. Jeremiah and me… and maybe Shane and Sir Melvin?

“They kicked me out for ‘never interfering.’”

Jeremiah blurted out in a grumpy tone. He’d already been scolded by Estella once.

I giggled softly, imagining him pouting after being kicked out by his sister, but then my eyes widened as I remembered something.

“Oh, a gift!”

“A gift?”

“You gave Estella a gift at the last banquet, didn’t you?”

“I went gift-hunting with you and failed, but I can’t just leave you to get her a new gift.”

He rambled on, but in the end, he hadn’t given her anything.

“Are you lying just because it’s in front of me?”

I asked, because there was no way Jeremiah would’ve given his precious little sister nothing for her birthday and debut.

I glanced at him suspiciously. As if sensing my doubt, Jeremiah said,

“I didn’t give her anything but a bouquet of flowers, I swear.”

“You mean the one and only brother…”

I glared at him with disbelief. Jeremiah made a face of exasperation as I continued to stare.

I tore my gaze away, fiddled with the invitation, and set it on the bedside table. After a moment’s hesitation, I opened it.

“Duke, what are you doing later?”

* * *

After returning to my home in Hazel after a long absence, I changed my clothes and stuffed my pockets full of money.

As I gathered my robes and headed out, I was greeted by the duke standing outside the house. I quickly walked over to him.

“You haven’t been waiting long, have you?”

“I’m fine. Shall we go?”

Jeremiah, wearing only a light jacket, held out his hand to me. There were no carriages or horses around, so he must’ve intended to walk to the market, hand in hand.

I hesitated for a moment. I was ashamed and embarrassed—all the vendors would recognize him as the Duke of Oppenheim. Should I really hold his hand?

“Vanessa. We must hurry if we’re to find something you like.”

I hesitated, but Jeremiah took my hand first. His fingers wrapped around mine in a warm, firm embrace.

I reluctantly let him pull me along, then quickened my pace. Jeremiah glanced down at me and matched my stride, as if it were the most natural thing.

“Do you have anything in mind for Estella’s birthday?”

“Aurora roses…”

I muttered, unable to help myself. I’d seen the Northern Lights, so I should’ve picked an Aurora rose.

But I’d already experienced the greatness of nature, and I shook off my longing for the flower.

Still, I couldn’t think of anything else to buy for Estella’s birthday. I hoped the market would have something suitable.

“Hark, the Duke himself!”

“It was the Duchess’s birthday not too long ago. Is that why he came out?”

“Huh? I think I recognize the young lady next to her—she used to come out with the princess…”

As expected, the merchants immediately recognized Jeremiah. But after the initial fuss, everyone relaxed. His casual attire and the absence of guards signaled an informal outing.

‘You were like this when you went out with Estella before.’

The northerners loved the Oppenheims, so they let them be.

I smiled at the heartwarming scene, though I still felt embarrassed under the curious stares—especially at the woman holding the Duke’s hand.

“If it’s a young lady who looks so close to the Duchess…”

“A prospective duchess?!”

…Some people were already jumping to conclusions.

“Duke, are you going to keep holding my hand…?”

“Well, it’s crowded, so I have to. And Vanessa, I think I should call you by your first name—since some people don’t realize I’m the Duke. It’s been a while since I’ve been out; let’s get comfortable.”

“…”

“Hmm. Didn’t they take care of you in the islands?”

Jeremiah asked, fully aware the merchants already knew him. He was shameless.

I glared and tightened my grip on his hand. Maybe I needed to be a little brazen too.

Determined, I slowly parted my lips.

“Mr. Jeremiah.”

He blinked slowly, as if savoring the sound. I called again.

“Jeremiah.”

“Yes, Vanessa.”

“…I think we should start walking now.”

“Can I still hold your hand?”

He asked, but he was already clasping my hand tightly, as if he’d never let go. I sighed faintly.